Navigating Windows in win 7
Almost every action on your computer is completed within a window. Although there are different types of windows, they are all similar in a variety of ways. Windows makes it easy to manage your windows and their functions.
Arranging Windows 7
To arrange windows refer to the upper right-hand corner of the window. There will be buttons with which you can minimize, maximize, restore, or close your window. To make changes to windows individually, try the methods below:
- To move a window (i.e. Across the screen), drag it.
- Drag the top or bottom of the window to change its height.
- Drag the left or right of the window to change its width.
- To change the size of the window (height and width); drag the corner of the window. § To fill the screen with a window, click the Maximize button.
Right-clicking on the taskbar will give you the following options for managing your open windows: cascade windows, show windows stacked, show windows side by side, and show the desktop.
There are also other methods of managing your windows below, for instance:
- Selecting the Show Desktop button on the right end of the Windows Taskbar makes all the open windows transparent, therefore allowing you to see the background.
- Selecting the Show Desktop button will minimize all windows currently open.
- Shake the window. Select the title bar, hold it, and shake the mouse. Almost similar to the dragging motion. Shaking will minimize the other windows.
Files, Folders, and Libraries
There are quite a few ways to store your data. Data can be stored and kept on CDs, DVDs, or USB jump drives. Drives are identified by letters. Clicking on a drive will open your files, or the “root” of your files.
File Types
There are many different types of files, but they all fall into these two basic categories:
Files authored by you and files that were not authored by you. A large amount of the files not created by you are DLL’s and/or hidden files. Files that were created by you can range from documents, presentations, music, spreadsheets, and the list continues.
System Folders
These are the most critical folders of your operating system:
- User Account folder. This folder contains the following categories: AppData, Contacts, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Favorites, Links, Music, Pictures, Saved Games, Searches, and Videos. It saves your profile and account information as well.
- Program Files folder. This is where the important program folders are located. Never move the files from this folder, due to the risk that the program itself may not operate as it should.
- Windows folder. Operating system files are here. You should never bother these files unless you are sure of what you are doing.
Folder Window Features
These features are not available with all folder windows.
- Search box. You can type a phrase or any attribute from your file that maybe located in the folder. Search results will lead you directly to the file.
- Navigation buttons. For instance, the Back and Forward buttons allows you to view your browsing history in Windows Explorer.
- Address bar. The Address bar provides the pathway to folder currently in the content window.
- Clear button (X). This removes all search information and redirects you to the folder.
Folder Window Components
These features are the same for all folder windows.
- Menu bar. This is the area located below the title bar. Although it’s the “long way” of doing things, if it makes you more comfortable, go for it.
- Navigation pane. Located on the left, this default pane displays a vertical view of the computer’s storage. All of your data is included in the following categories: Computer, Favorites, Homegroup, Libraries, and Network.
- Content pane. This is the main pane, or the middle pane. It presents the contents of the folders in the view that you choose.
- Details pane. This default pane is located at the bottom of the window. It shows important information about the chosen item. This pane can be closed if you don’t need it.
- Preview pane. Located on the right, this default pane shows a preview of the file selected in the content window.
Viewing Your Computer Information
To view your files, folder, and drives, you must understand the structure of the system. There many methods of accessing your information. You can open Windows Explorer in a number of ways:
- Select the Windows Explorer taskbar button.
- Click any of the links in the right pane of the Start menu.
- Select your user account name or icon.
- Right-click a folder in the left pane of the Start menu, and then click Explore.
- Double-click a folder. (In a window or on the desktop.)
Logging off Windows 7
Logging off Windows is simple. You can put your computer to sleep, lock it, log off, restart, and it shut down. To perform these actions, follow the steps below:
1. Click the Start button.
2. Click the Shut-down Options button. (The Shut-down Options menu will appear.)
3. Click Lock. (The Windows 7 Welcome screen opens.)
4. Your account will be visible. (If your account is password protected, enter it here.)
5. Hit Enter. (Your previous session will resume.)
6. Return to the Shut-down Options menu.
7. Click Sleep. (Your computer will enter a calm state.)
8. Press the power button, Enter or move the mouse to wake up the computer. (The Welcome screen appears.)
9. Enter your password (if your account is protected).
10. Click Enter.
11. Return to the Shut-down Options menu.
12. Click Log Off.
13. Click Log Off again. (You will be returned to the Welcome Screen.)
14. Click the Power button. (Your computer will power off.)
Locating Important Information
There are a number of ways to access your drives, files, and folders.
Finding Computer System Information
To begin:
1. Click the Start button located on the left side of the Windows Task Bar (Start Menu will appear)
2. Click Control Panel.
3. Click System and Security (System and Security window will open).
4. Click the System item.
5. After viewing the right pane for your computer information, click the Control Panel Home link to return to the Control Panel homepage.
Performing a Search
According to Windows, their new search technology is perfect. With its improved search engine, you can find anything without knowing any of the specifics. Your file, program, message, document, or utility will appear in an instant, after only entering only a word phrase in the search box. Windows makes this possible by searching their index as opposed to skimming each file individually.
To perform a simple, quick search:
1. Type the filename, folder, or a phrase into the Start Menu search box.
2. Click on an item in the Search Results list.
Search Parameters
To change what is contained in your index follow the steps below:
1. Click Organize (located on the tool bar of any Windows Explorer window)
2. Click Folder and Search Options.(Folder Options dialog box will appear)
3. Click the Search tab.
If for some reason the index hasn't found the file you were looking for, it is possible that what you are searching for is out of the index range or another minor technical problem. To help with this, there is the Searching and Indexing troubleshooter to access the troubleshooter take the following steps:
1. Access the Control Panel.
2. Click Advanced. (The Advanced Options dialogue box will appear).
3. Click the Index Settings tab.
4. Click Troubleshoot Search and Indexing.
Within the Advanced Options dialogue box you can change the location of index files, index levels, include encrypted files in your index, or start over and create a new index. Windows highly recommends not starting from a clean slate as this is a very tedious project and can require a great amount of time.
Knowing your way around your computer is a skill that you will be very thankful for in the future. To get the best out of your computing experience, master the basics.
